Today's business is items 1 and 2. With the co-operation of the House, we will take all Stages of item 1. I suggest 20 minutes per speaker on Second Stage. Item 2 will be taken immediately after the completion of item 1.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. The House will welcome yesterday's announcement of profits by Aer Rianta. However, it will also be concerned by the chairman's forecast of a reduction in duty free sales and its effects on the company. It is estimated that the reduction will be about £40 million but, more importantly, that it will lead to job losses. Will the Leader use his good offices to ensure the Government makes every effort to have duty free sales extended? They cost the State nothing and there are only benefits to be gained from them. Will the Leader use the last few days of this Administration to ensure every effort is made to extend duty free sales?
It is important to note the atrocities over the past few days in the North — the murders of the chairman of a GAA club last night, a gay RUC man two days earlier and a youth coming home from a dance days before that. There is an element of us walking on eggshells on this issue and I am glad Senator McAughtry raised these matters yesterday. This is nothing more than rampant sectarianism and is happening in this the European year against racism. Attitudes seem to be getting worse. One problem is that we only tend to respond to killings and atrocities. These are just the outward manifestations of attitudes that exist. This goes back to educational values and tolerance towards people living and being educated together.
We do not have time to discuss racism in detail. The Government has set up a national committee to co-ordinate activities during the European year against racism. Events in the North highlight the need for such a committee more than ever. It is happening at all levels of society and there is racism in the South also. It is latent but has potential and must be addressed before it takes a grip.
I strongly endorse Senator O'Toole's comments. In reference to remarks made yesterday, it has been my experience since I became a Member of the House that there has been cross party agreement on how to proceed in both Houses. It is not the intention of any political party to politicise this matter for political gain because it is of such a serious nature. There is no doubt we all supported the Downing Street Declaration and the Framework Document. All of us participated in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and, with one exception, were able to agree on a report. The exception was Sinn Féin who could not adopt the principle of consent which is central to a settlement. There is very little difference between democratic parties. We are committed to the democratic process and wish to see these atrocities stopped. The best way to do so is through the IRA declaring a ceasefire and for sectarian bigots to desist from what they are doing. It is appalling that an official in a sporting organisation should be singled out because he is a Catholic and a member of the GAA. It is equally unacceptable that an off duty policeman should be singled out and shot in a bar or that a youth should be kicked senseless and die as a result. That cannot be accepted in any civilised society.
I strongly concur with Senator O'Toole's remarks and as Senator Dardis said, there is a cross party view in the House. On behalf of the Labour Party, I join in the condemnation of the recent killings. There is a horrible sectarian element in these killings. In the case of Seán Browne the killers picked someone coming from a GAA club on the understanding he would be of the opposite religion. Until recently the most senior officer of the GAA in the Republic was Protestant. This reflects the terrible sectarian division in Northern Ireland. I hope people will respond to the new Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, and the opportunities to bring people together. I hope there will be a new era in Northern Ireland.
I support Senator Wright on duty free sales. It is an important economic element, particularly around Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports. People in these areas are concerned about the issue. I know the Government will do what it can to ensure duty free sales continue.
It has come to my notice that children as young as ten years old are still begging on the streets of Dublin and not attending school. Despite the passing of several Children's Bills and hours of debate on how the problem should be solved, nothing seems to have been done. Social workers say they are helpless and can do nothing. I ask the Leader if, in the remaining days of this session, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Currie, can come to the House to tell us what he intends to do to curb this problem in the summer.
We are trying to educate these children, yet they are not at school when they should be. We are giving the "Harvey Smith" to the legislation and the work we have done in both Houses to introduce legislation to make a better way of life for those children. Can we have a short debate to ask the Minister what he can do? People who are trying to ease the problem seem to be unable to get answers.
Mr. Naughten
Following the Adjournment Debate on the matter a number of weeks ago, I ask the Leader to ask Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to introduce an information campaign on genetic engineering. An injunction has been brought against Monsanto, who are conducting field trials on genetically engineered beets. The organisation taking out this injunction are using scare tactics to get people to support them on this issue, without any evidence. We need a full debate on this as the public must be informed.
Can the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment to look into the possibility of opening polling stations until 10 o'clock on election day, especially for young people going home to vote from Dublin or wherever?
Those who are normally resident outside the constituency.
Mr. Naughten
I am sure Senator O'Toole will endorse my sentiments.
I endorse the comments made on Northern Ireland. Every time another tragedy occurs there, there is a temptation not to express our abhorrence. It is necessary to do this continuously, no matter how often or how long it takes.
I can understand why it was decided yesterday not to take the Adoption Bill. However, particularly in relation to the Paraguayan adoption, it may be possible in the interim period of the election — because both sides have agreed the Bill will get priority in the next session — for the Minister to obtain a second legal opinion. There is a grave doubt as to whether it is a simple and complete adoption.
I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, on the document published yesterday, Quality Customer Service for Customers and Clients of the Civil Service. This is an important part of the strategic management initiative because it changes the attitude to customer service in the public service.
The intended establishment of a food safety board last November has not taken place. The priority given to it was not sufficient for it to be established in time. For once the British are coming behind us as today's Financial Times stated that the British Food Safety Board is to be incorporated in its Department of Health. It has provided a six week consultation period. This is the type of effort we need to make as regards priority, speed and urgency. There has been a danger that in projects where we take the first step, we lose the force of energy when we try to get them off the ground. I welcome the decision to establish a separate food safety council, although it disappoints me that we have not finalised legislation before the end of this session. I hope it will be given priority in the new session.
I am glad Senator Farrell raised the issue of children on the street, as I did six or seven months ago. I have investigated the problem. While it is probably unrealistic to have a debate on the matter, I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, to circulate information on the efforts he has made in trying to solve the problem.
In my investigations I discovered there are about 12 families in Dublin who control the racket, which is very sophisticated, with networking involved among them. It brings in an average of £150 per week per child, which is a minimum. If this is multiplied by eight, it is a huge income. Not giving the children money does not work, because they are beaten up by the parents, who say they are not handing over the cash. Children were arrested on O'Connell Bridge and taken to the Garda station in the hope that the parents would show up. The Garda could not hold them any longer.
There is now a drop-in centre where children can go voluntarily to be fed and washed. They are encouraged to come in so they can be introduced to another lifestyle. It is a difficult problem and a disgrace to us that children of six and seven years of age are begging on the streets. I asked children who had a placard saying "Homeless and Hungry" to spell the word "homeless". It was obvious they were given the cardboard to put in front of them. I agree with Senator Farrell that the issue is worth debating. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, has done a great deal but it is not enough until we solve the problem.
I agree with the comments on Northern Ireland by the leaders of the various parties. I also welcome Senator McAughtry's comments yesterday. I agree with Senator O'Sullivan that we should continue to unequivocally condemn sectarian murders. I convey my sincere sympathy to the family of Seán Browne in Bellaghy. I make a limited income from sports broadcasting and it comes home to one when one is partially involved.
There is a Unionist perception that the GAA is a sectarian organisation because of rule 21. I refute this as the GAA is not sectarian in its outlook, attitude or ethos. That rule applies because of historical reasons. Hopefully, there will be no need for it in a new political settlement. However, there is no doubt that even at the highest levels of unionism this perception ensues. Consequently, the GAA and its members who go about their business in an open manner are open targets.
Will the Leader convey to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is indirectly involved, through his officials, in discussions with Sinn Féin, my views as expressed in the House? We frequently call on the Unionist leaders to lower tension in the run up to 12 July, specifically in relation to Drumcree. I am aware from my discussions with senior Orange Order figures in the last few weeks that there is a genuine desire on the part of that organisation's leaders to defuse any potential conflict and to avoid a third standoff at Drumcree.
It is also incumbent on Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness as newly elected MPs, if they are genuine about defusing the explosive atmosphere in Northern Ireland which is building up as a result of sectarian murders, to use whatever influence they have to do so. They cannot stand at arm's length from the community groups representing residents in areas of Northern Ireland. There are Nationalists involved——
I have allowed the Senator a fair amount of latitude. I am sure the Leader understands his point.
I ask the Leader to convey to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and, in turn, to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, the desire that they would be proactive in the coming weeks in trying to defuse the situation in the North, specifically in relation to Drumcree, where some Sinn Féin people are involved. Hopefully, with goodwill on both sides a third standoff at Drumcree will be avoided.
I support the call by Senator Farrell and Senator Magner for a debate on children begging in the city. If the Minister was to come to the House he might also address the preelection manifesto of the ISPCC which addresses many issues of child welfare. That group would be anxious that we had an opportunity to discuss its document.
I support Senator Quinn's views on the Adoption (No. 2) Bill. I requested that the Minister would not bring the legislation before the House until we had an indication of the Supreme Court decision on the right to confidentiality case. The Minister indicated that it was unlikely there would be an early general election. For that reason I requested that he would not bring the legislation before the House. I think he referred to November as the likely election date. It now appears that there will be a delay in dealing with the issue of foreign adoptions and the amendment which Senator O'Toole and I proposed. I asked the Minister to have that amendment examined by the Attorney General to see if it would cover the requirements of the Paraguayan adoptees. It now seems likely that the election will be in June. Therefore, the Minister should seek the opinion of the Attorney General and convey it to the parents involved who are very concerned that this legislation will not now be dealt with.
However, the Minister implied that there was no question of an election in the foreseeable future. On that basis I asked that my other amendments, which are separate from the issue of foreign adoptions, would be addressed in the context of the Supreme Court case. There is nothing to prevent the Bill coming back before the House so that we might deal with my other amendments on contacts registers, birth certificates and databases. I would be willing to withdraw those amendments if it would facilitate the legislation being dealt with to the satisfaction of the prospective parents of Paraguayan adoptees.
I am glad Senator Mooney referred to the Unionist perceptions of the GAA. I listened to the sympathy expressed to Mr. Seán Browne's family wondering how I could raise the Unionist perception of the GAA without appearing, at least in part, to defend the sectarian assassination of Mr. Seán Browne. Unionists perceive the GAA as Senator Mooney outlined. Over the years I have tried to convey my views on this issue. I am aware that the relevant articles of the GAA's constitution which appear to be sectarian do not carry as much weight in the South as in the North and I understand why they are important in the North. I advise Unionists that the only way in which these articles will wither away is if they go to watch their counties play at GAA fixtures. I have done so for years. They should go to Croke Park, Casement Park or wherever else the fixtures are being played to support their counties. They may feel a little excluded when they do so; I feel oddly exposed when I go to fixtures, but I like the games. Hurling is the finest game I have ever seen and I have tried to convey this point to my Unionist friends in the North. Some of them agree with me and go to watch their counties games. A winning GAA team has gone to Belfast City Hall with a Unionist mayor and I would like to see that become routine.
I express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Seán Browne, to the club to which he belonged and to the GAA.
I agree with Senator Naughten that the polling stations should be open until 10 p.m. Will the Leader convey my opinion to the Taoiseach that if he is to dissolve the Dáil he should call the election before 4 June? Senator Naughten and others have expressed the desire that students and young people would be facilitated to vote. However, my information is that 90 per cent of university students will have left the country by 5 June. Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to hold the election on 3 June?
There are not enough days left.
We have enough days.
Are we still on for September, Senator?
We may not have time for a debate on house prices over the next few days but there is a growing emergency in the housing market, particularly for young people seeking subsidised housing. The cost of sites and houses has grown out of all proportion and this has forced more people into the public housing sector. Not enough money is provided for that sector. There are self-supporting groups which provide houses and the State provides 90 per cent funding. If the price of land increases at a rapid rate, it becomes impossible for young people to obtain public housing.
Is the Senator seeking a debate on the issue?
I ask the Leader for a debate on the issue. Rather than deprive single people of benefits because they are living with their parents, they should be given a benefit to stay in their parents' houses and this might address many of the problems associated with the health boards having to subsidise rented accommodation. That drives up the cost of rented accommodation and forces many people into deprived areas.
A task force should be set up to examine the phenomenon of young children being put out to beg on the streets by their parents. We had a particular problem in this regard in Kilkenny and through the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare, the health board, the Garda and the Department of the Environment we were able to ensure that——
The Senator is pre-empting debate on this matter.
The problem will never be eliminated, but a concerted effort was made by various Government agencies to reduce it.
I wish to join with other Members in sending our deepest sympathy to the family of Seán Browne who was murdered by a sectarian group. It is right to have all-party support for solving the problems in the North. However, we in the Opposition have a right and duty to raise matters of concern in relation to the North. As someone who is in the North ten times a week and who was a founder member of a north-west cross-Border group with which all sectarian and political groups are involved, I do not take too kindly to lectures from people who are seldom, if ever, in the North. I must be mindful of what I say in this House when I meet people who differ religiously and politically from me. One must be honest, outspoken and frank. One cannot speak with a forked tongue, making one statement in the Seanad and another when one meets one's colleagues in the North. My party has an obligation to complain about the lack of progress. It might hurt if I went into the details but——
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I am totally in favour of an all-party approach to the very serious problems which are costing so many lives in the North. That message must be clear.
There has been a great deal of hype and publicity from the Minister for the Environment about the alternatives he would put in place to water charges and the funding he would provide. My council, Donegal County Council, issued a letter, dated 9 May 1997, in which it stated that the details are not available from the Department. I want to express my bitter disappointment, on the day before the Dáil is dissolved, that this House has not had an opportunity to tell the Minister about our concerns. Up until now it has just been paper talk, with no plans for, or intention of, a delivery.
I support the point made by Senators Farrell, Magner and others about children begging on the streets. As the chairman of the Eastern Health Board's community care programme, I have raised this issue on several occasions. The statutory authorities are not using their full rights under the Child Care Act. I raised with the chief executive of the ISPCC the matter of children begging on the ISPCC's doorstep.
I believe that political correctness is preventing the statutory authorities, particularly the health boards, from intervening in this very serious issue of child abuse. Previous speakers are correct that effective action should be taken against this abuse. It is an extraordinary exploitation of children to put them begging on streets to finance the drinking binges of their parents or other adults. It is an unacceptable abuse of children which the statutory authorities have perfect powers to prevent, but will not do so because they are terrified of political correctness.
I have made complaints in this city about specific children on the street but the issue has been passed back and forth between the health board and the Garda Síochána. There should be concerted action to end this. Whatever hue the incoming Administration is, it should address this as a matter of urgency.
Will the Leader convey my concern, which I am sure is shared by others, about an issue which has arisen in recent days in regard to the calculation of pensions of health care workers? Retirees from the health boards, particularly the Eastern Health Board, have been circulated with letters this week indicating that under new arrangements the 50 per cent allowance for any additions, which were previously regarded as part of the calculation of pensions, will no longer be included in pensions. I spoke to a trade union leader last night who suggested there is some confusion about the issue. I have written to the Eastern Health Board asking for this matter to be resolved. A communication from the Minister for Health to the health boards clarifying the issue would be helpful.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment whether there has been a fundamental change in the past two days in social housing policy? As the Leader and other Members are aware, there has been a very controversial policy in parts of the country, particularly Dublin and Wicklow, of local authorities acquiring houses in private estates for use as part of the social housing mix. Councillor McManus of Democratic Left announced yesterday that his party no longer supported this policy. That surprised me because his wife is the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with responsibility for housing. That party criticised those of us who were critical of the policy. Has there been a fundamental change in Government housing policy in this regard? It would be very interesting for every councillor who opposed that policy to know there has been a Pauline conversion on the part of Democratic Left. Is Democratic Left now reflecting a sensible policy which the Minister has imposed on it? It would be in the public interest to know if the housing policy has been changed.
The point raised by Senators Wright and O'Sullivan about the threat to duty free facilities in the major airports is an important matter with enormous economic implications. The Senators' concerns will be conveyed and strongly supported.
Senators O'Toole, Dardis and many others raised the question of the current situation in Northern Ireland. All the contributions this morning clearly conveyed the sense of shock and horror and feeling of sickness we all have once again. On almost a daily basis in this last week of the Seanad, we are rising to condemn the ritual sectarian slaughter which has become such a terrible feature of life in the Northern part of this country in recent times. Our sympathies go to the relatives of people who have so needlessly, senselessly and brutally lost their lives on all sides.
All the contributions this morning also bear out very strongly the importance, and value in the past, of a bipartisan approach to the question of Northern Ireland. Senator Magner put the point well yesterday that all Governments have made their contribution and there has been a continuity of policy, for the most part, since the beginning of the Northern troubles. It would be a great disservice if any party sought to put differences on Northern policy as a major item on the domestic political agenda in the forthcoming election, or sought to accentuate differences which do not really exist between parties here on the question. I hope and believe that temptation will be resisted.
Senator Farrell raised the interesting question of children begging on the streets. I thank Senator Magner, in particular, for bringing the attention of the House to the steps which are being taken and the difficulties involved in commenting on this. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, to circulate to interested Senators the steps which have been and are being taken and the difficulties involved.
Senator Naughten raised the question of the closing time of the poll. It is my understanding that polling stations will be open until 10 p.m. on whatever day is chosen for the election.
Senators Quinn and McGennis raised the question of the Adoption Bill. I am meeting with the Attorney General today to convey the concerns to him and to see if we can make further progress towards getting a resolution of the problem of the Paraguayan parents. I will return to Senator Quinn with the result of that meeting. While I know Senator McGennis has admired the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, for a long time——
Did the Leader read the "blacks" of that debate?
——picking the date of the election is not one of his powers and functions.
That day he thought it was.
As I explained to the House yesterday, the Senator's request to have the completion of the Bill deferred until the outcome of the court case was only one of the reasons for deferring it. I am as concerned as anybody else to obtain the right answer to this problem. There is a commitment on all sides of the House that the Bill will be reinstated on Report Stage as one of the first Acts of the new House, no matter who is back in Government. The normal delay will not apply in this case.
Senator Quinn expressed his admiration for the new proposals under the name of the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, for a better quality service in the public service. All of us welcome those innovations.
The Food Safety Bill is close to being finalised. This means that when the new Government takes over, or more likely when the new Government is continued in a new form, that Bill will be ready to be introduced almost immediately.
Senator Lanigan raised the question of house prices. It is an important question and the Senator will be glad to know that the number of new local authority houses built this year is at an all time high. The problem of house prices is a big one and the rezoning of more land may need to be looked at.
Senator Roche raised a number of questions for which I do not have answers. On the question of health care workers, as far as I am aware Councillor John McManus does not make Government policy on housing but I am sure the Senator could address the question directly to Councillor McManus.
Order of Business agreed to.